Dear MVFA Members,

As you know, the Illinois state budget situation is serious, and it is impacting Moraine Valley. We need to take action. I am asking that you reach out to your state reps. (You can find your reps here.) Calling always has the most impact but you can also email.

I have outlined talking points below that you can use when contacting reps. The info below is NOT a partisan  (Republican or Democratic) message. This is OUR story. This is Moraine Valley’s story. Our state reps need to hear it. We are a good college. We work hard, and our union has been a good partner to the administration and to the Board of Trustees. Decades of work is on the line.

Key points to share:

1) The lack of a state budget is hurting our students who have the most need.  

2) Moraine Valley has had smart & careful financial operations for over three decades. This has allowed our college to keep costs to students low and to build a reasonable financial reserve that is currently being destroyed.  

3) Moraine Valley’s financial health is partly due to the willingness of the college’s faculty & employees to work in partnership with the Administration and Board of Trustees to offer smart compensation & benefits that the college can afford. Unions representing the faculty & staff have always worked to keep the college healthy. 

4) Moraine Valley’s administration and Trustees have guided our college through enrollment drops, needed infrastructure projects, property tax reductions, and other challenges while still receiving accolades for financial management.

5) Over the decades we have built a healthy, well-run college that has remained focused on our core mission of serving students. Now, all of this work & wise management is being wiped away due to the lack of a state budget.

6) When the Community College Act passed 50 years ago, the State of Illinois provided 33% of Moraine Valley’s budget (33% state, 33% tuition, 33% property taxes). Over the last decade, State has slowly cut its support where it only makes up 12% of current budget.

7) That remaining 12% (although small) remains vital to our operations. Part of these funds support basic operation but they also include state grants for programs such as Adult Basic Education which serves the students who have no where else to turn.

8) Due to wise financial management over the decades, our college has been able keep our all programs open during this past year but Moraine Valley’s reserve funds cannot last forever.

We are asking our state legislators for the following:

1) Fund MAP grants for our students. Higher education is the engine of our economy & these grants are vital to students who become the future employees & consumers of our state.

2) Fund grant programs such as the literacy grants supporting Adult Basic Education.

3) Fund the State’s portion of community college budgets so that we can keep our doors open.  Many of our students have no where else to turn. If programs are closed or services reduced, they have no other option but to exit college. Our students are the future of Illinois.

Thanks for your time and effort.
Call or email me if you have questions.

Troy